2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Review

Name: 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Review
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $15,990 - $19,990

Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

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$16,673 avg. price

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Volkswagen e-Golf model years

Volkswagen e-Golf for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Kurt Niebuhr

Pros

Looks and drives more like a typical car than other EVs
Premium interior materials
Plenty of trunk space
Comfortable and quiet ride

Cons

Shorter electric range than other EVs
Limited availability

What's new

DC fast charger now comes standard on base SE trim
Advanced driver aids now available for base SE trim
Part of the first e-Golf generation introduced for 2015

If you'd prefer your electric car to be different and make a statement to other motorists about your eco-savvy attitude, the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf is most definitely not for you. In the process of electrifying its popular and long-running hatchback, VW kept the Golf's styling and interior pretty much the same. But the normality of the e-Golf is one of its greatest strengths: It combines all the practicality, personality and familiarity of a regular Golf and subtracts the tailpipe and all of its emissions.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

12 listings

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EV Tax Credit^{Certain EVs and PHEVs may be eligible for a federal used EV tax credit up to $4,000. Buyer and car must qualify.}
2019 Volkswagen e-Golf
SEL Premium 4dr Hatchback
$15,780
great price
$1,910 below market
- 40,250 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 125 mi range
- Garnet Volkswagen of West Chester (119 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in West Chester, PA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: WVWPR7AU2KW908707
Stock: P1171
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-17-2025
New Listing
2019 Volkswagen e-Golf
SE 4dr Hatchback
$15,395
fair price
$473 below market
- 48,760 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use
- 125 mi range
- Trust Auto (37 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Sykesville, MD
Trust Auto is excited to offer this Loaded 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SE Electric Hatchback. This Volkswagen includes: TITAN BLACK, CLOTH SEATING SURFACES...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: WVWKR7AU6KW910664
Stock: 910664
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-02-2025

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There are some subtle differences to the exterior styling (the e-Golf-specific wheels are the easiest way to tell), and the interior gets a few subtle tweaks as well to better inform the driver about the state of the battery charge. But most of the standard Golf carries over, which means you get a smooth ride quality and a premium and versatile interior. This electric car is remarkably free of compromise.

Compared to other rival electric vehicles, however, the e-Golf has one significant drawback: range. Its EPA-estimated range of 125 miles will be sufficient for a lot of people, but a few top rivals — namely, the Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV — can go about twice as far. Acceleration isn't particularly quick with the e-Golf either. But overall we like the Volkswagen e-Golf and recommend it if you're shopping for a natural stepping stone into the electrified world.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf as one of Edmunds' Cheapest Electric Cars for 2020.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium (battery electric | 1-speed direct drive | FWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	7.5

Driving

8.0

Handling, steering and braking are solid compared to others in the EV segment. But we wish the steering wasn't so light and that the regenerative braking power was stronger when you fully lift off the accelerator pedal.

Acceleration

7.5

The first e-Golf wasn't terribly quick, but this one has more going on under the hood. While it's still not as quick as some of the newest competition, it feels sufficiently peppy unless you're a lead foot who throws caution (and range) to the wind. At our test track, an e-Golf covered 0-60 mph in 8.4 seconds.

Braking

7.5

The brake pedal is firm and sure in routine use, with good feel and feedback. At our track, the e-Golf's fuel-saving tires contributed to a ho-hum 60-mph panic stop of 128 feet. There are four levels of regenerative braking, but the most aggressive setting falls short of enabling true one-pedal driving.

Steering

7.5

Turn the wheel and the e-Golf delivers a smooth and predictable response, exhibiting an eagerness in turns without feeling darty on straights. But the effort is a bit too light. It starts that way to ease parking. But even though the steering heft builds as the pace picks up, it never quite feels engaging.

Handling

8.5

Handling is eager and well-balanced through corners, reminiscent of a GTI. It was also able to orbit the skid pad at our test track at a respectable 0.88g, which is good considering the economy-minded all-season tires. Because of the low-mounted mass of the battery pack, the e-Golf leans a bit less in turns than a standard one.

Drivability

8.0

It feels utterly smooth and effortless because the torquey direct-drive electric powertrain never shifts. The lift-throttle brake regeneration has four levels that can be selected with the shift lever, too. We only wish the maximum B level was a bit more forceful for better one-pedal driving.

Comfort

8.0

The e-Golf offers comfortable seats and a ride that is neither too hard nor too soft. The electric powertrain is undeniably smooth and silent, of course. This peaceful ride is something that all EVs do well, but it's worth pointing out to those cross-shopping a regular Golf.

Seat comfort

8.0

The front seats have a very accommodating shape and offer great all-day support with just the right amount of padding. But some drivers might find the seat bottoms too flat. The effective side bolsters aren't confining. The rear seat offers similar levels of comfort and support.

Ride comfort

8.0

The highway ride is nicely controlled and settled. Bumps and holes are smoothed over with a minimum of harsh side effects. The result is a steady ride that nicely straddles the line between sloppy and tense.

Noise & vibration

9.0

The utter silence of the electric drivetrain makes the e-Golf less noisy overall than a standard Golf. Wind noise is minimal, and the tires don't call attention to themselves. A subtle whir has been artificially added to alert pedestrians, but it's almost inaudible inside the car and disappears above 15 mph.

Climate control

8.0

Dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats are standard. The main heating system is electric, and it warms quickly because there's no engine that needs warming up. It can be preheated while charging, too. The capable air-conditioning system has an Eco mode to use the system sparingly if you want to preserve range.

Interior

8.5

The e-Golf's interior is ideally suited for people. There's plenty of room, it's easy to get in and out of, and the controls are obvious and easy to reach. Credit goes to the Golf's signature boxy shape, which seems like it was drawn after the occupants were taken care of, not before.

Ease of use

8.0

The e-Golf is refreshingly simple and straightforward. The controls are within easy reach, and their function and usage are clear. There's little that will lead you to consult the owner's manual. It might take some time to master the steering wheel buttons, but they come easy once you do.

Getting in/getting out

9.0

The squared-off door openings make entry and exit a breeze, even for tall folks. The same is true for those in the back seat. The seats aren't so low that you have to stoop either. The doors aren't overly long, so they work well in tight spaces.

Driving position

9.0

The relationship between the e-Golf's seat, steering wheel and pedals (also its dash and gauges) is just about perfect. Folks of all sizes will agree on this point because the generous adjustment range of the seat (fore-aft, up-down) and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel allow nearly anyone to fit.

Roominess

8.5

Boxy on the outside equals roomy on the inside, with abundant legroom and headroom and an airy and broad cockpit. The back seat is similarly spacious with useful leg-, headroom and even toe room. It's exactly like a regular Golf.

Visibility

8.0

It's very easy to see out, and the blind spot is small thanks to abundant glass area and slender roof and windshield pillars. The standard rearview camera and proximity sensors are a nice bonus. The SEL's standard heated windscreen, however, has myriad fine embedded wires that can refract oncoming headlights.

Quality

8.0

The e-Golf looks and feels well put-together inside and out. The seats and door trim are especially handsome. The dash design is pretty simple and uncomplicated, but that's the look VW goes for. It all fits together nicely.

Utility

8.0

You'd likely predict that a boxy hatchback would offer good utility, and in the case of the Golf, you'd be exactly right. There's plenty of room, and it's easily accessed through the hatch and the squared-off doors.

Small-item storage

8.0

It's a compact car, but the e-Golf still offers ample interior storage. You'll find long front door pockets with water bottle nooks, a good-size glovebox and center console, central cupholders, and a hidden bin in front of the shifter. The rear door pockets will also hold a water bottle.

Cargo space

8.0

The e-Golf's battery doesn't consume any cargo space, which is unusual among EVs adapted from a gas-powered version. Like any other Golf, its rear seats fold flat, the deck is low and the hatch provides easy access. Cargo capacity is abundant with all seats up or down.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

The lower anchors are easy to find without digging around between the cushions, and the top tether hooks are equally obvious. The generous rear legroom accommodates most bulky rear-facing seats, and the squared rear roofline eases access to children in back.

Technology

7.5

The e-Golf's simple and effective touchscreen audio and navigation system is easy to live with and offers a variety of ways to integrate your smartphone. But we really wish it had more than one USB port. There's a nice suite of active safety gear, but it's all optional and mighty expensive.

Audio & navigation

8.0

The e-Golf's 8-inch touchscreen delivers high-definition graphics, and the SEL's Fender audio system delivers crisp sound. The easy-to-operate user interface consists of volume and tuning knobs, dedicated off-screen buttons and virtual on-screen touch points.

Smartphone integration

8.0

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard. You can also input sound from your smartphone (or a memory stick) via the USB port directly, or you can stream your tunes via Bluetooth audio. If you'd rather go old-school, there's an auxiliary jack and even an SD card slot. But there's only one USB port.

Driver aids

6.5

A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are standard. The SEL Premium also comes standard with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and parking steering assistance.

Voice control

7.0

The system is good at identifying names in your contact list and switching stations within a radio band. But it stumbles if you try anything more complicated because it prefers set phrases over natural speech. Holding the button longer gets you Siri if you want to control your smartphone.

Compare 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf models

The 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf is the electric version of the regular Golf hatchback. It comes with a 35.8-kWh battery pack and a 134-horsepower electric motor. Its EPA-estimated driving range is 125 miles. VW offers two trim levels: SE and SEL Premium.

Standard equipment on the SE includes a 7.2-kW onboard charger, DC fast-charging capability, 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, LED running lights and taillights, cruise control, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power-reclining front seats (manual height and fore/aft adjustment), and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Tech features include Volkswagen Car-Net Security & Service remote services, an 8-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker sound system. There's also an optional Driver Assistance package, which includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The SEL Premium has the features from the Driver Assistance package as standard. It also gets LED headlights with automatic high beams, parking sensors, lane keeping assist, an automated parking system, an auto-dimming mirror, simulated leather upholstery, a more energy-efficient heating system, a digital gauge cluster display, and a bigger 9.2-inch center touchscreen with gesture control and navigation.

A suite of driver aids that includes park distance control, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert is standard. There's also a 12.3-inch all-digital Volkswagen Digital Cockpit gauge cluster.

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf EV Insights

Trim:

e-Golf SE

Estimated Range Based on Age

111 miles

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 111 miles.

Estimated range mapfrom

Charging

SAE Combo

Plug Type

5.3 hrs

240V Home Charging

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 2 years or 16,000 miles for this car.

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,225

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

$55/mo

e-Golf

$159/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
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Volkswagen e-Golf Owner Reviews

4.3

27 reviews

5(70%)

4(15%)

3(0%)

2(4%)

1(11%)

See all 27 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Daily Driver Perfection

JJ, 10/17/2019

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

I've had the car for three weeks. It is super fun to drive as a daily driver. The car shines in stop and go traffic. When you go around a curve or make a turn, the center of gravity is such that you feel you are driving a go-kart. For a daily driver, I consider it an A plus. I do wish it had a few extra features, such as memory seating, a little more range, a heated steering wheel, …

Great driving EV

Ken, 04/18/2019

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

Just purchased this car a few weeks ago. My first electric vehicle. Several things to get accustomed especially regarding charging, but not difficult to learn. Definitely don't miss going to the gas station. I was a little concerned that this car has been discontinued and will be replace by an entirely new line, but the mark downs were too good to pass up. Add in the tax credits and …

Perfect First Electric Car

Mak_explorer, 10/01/2019

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

Bought this vehicle couple of weeks ago. Vey nice car. The initial torque and handling is amazing. Very good response on the road. Initially, I thought it is a small car but with folded seat, there is equivalent space than my SUV. With lot of discounts from dealer plus Federal and State rebate, this is a really good bargain. Highly recommended. With 90% charge on the car, I am still …

Love this car a lot more than I expected to!

Audrey, 07/20/2019

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

I set the battery to charge to 90% but still get about 151 miles of range.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf, so we've included reviews for other years of the e-Golf since its last redesign.

See all 27 reviews of the Volkswagen e-Golf

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2019 e-Golf Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$31,895
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,225 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	125 miles
Cost to Drive	$55/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	5.3 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	22.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the e-Golf models:

Intelligent Crash Response System: Automatically engages the brakes after an accident, turns off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors and activates the hazard lights.
Lane Keeping Assist: Detects and warns you when you're drifting out of your lane. Can take steering action if necessary.
Forward Collision Warning: Warns you about an imminent collision with an object ahead. Can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

For sale near Ashburn, VA

2019 Volkswagen e-GolfSEL Premium 4dr Hatchback

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2019 Volkswagen e-GolfSE 4dr Hatchback

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which e-Golf does Edmunds recommend?

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf models

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

EV Battery Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Volkswagen e-Golf Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Daily Driver Perfection

Great driving EV

Perfect First Electric Car

Love this car a lot more than I expected to!

2019 e-Golf Highlights

Safety

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